Potential negative impacts of nuclear activities on local economies: Rethinking the issue
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
Surveys of public opinion about perceptions of risk associated with the nuclear fuel cycle have shown that the public professes a widespread feeling of dread, a fear of associated stigmas, and a concern about possible catastrophic nuclear accidents. Various interest groups and state governments that oppose congressionally mandated siting of centralized high-level radioactive waste (HLW) storage and disposal facilities are using this negative imagery to create a powerful, emotional obstacle to the siting process. From statistical analyses of images and location preferences, researchers have claimed that possible significant economic losses could potentially accompany the siting of HLW facilities. However, several paradoxes, or self-contradictory statements, apparently exist between the responses expressed in surveys and the actual economic and demographic behavior evidenced in the marketplace. Federal policymakers need to evaluate whether the request for a change in siting policy is based on subjective fear of a potential negative economic effect or on proven negative effects. Empirically observed behavior does not support predicted negative economic effects based on survey responses. 41 refs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6558637
- Journal Information:
- Risk Analysis; (United States), Vol. 14:5; ISSN 0272-4332
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC ANXIETY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
FUEL CYCLE
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES
290201* - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics- (1992-)
290202 - Energy Planning & Policy- Sociology- (1992-)